The FFA Cup ambitions of Perth and Adelaide United remain alive, with both securing hard-fought victories over A-League rivals Newcastle and Wellington respectively in Tuesday’s round-of-32 matches.

Two close-range goals from the Glory’s Irish recruit Andy Keogh proved more than enough to beat the Jets on home turf at Broadmeadow’s Magic Park.

Newcastle seldom managed to get going in their first competitive match under new coach Phil Stubbins, although former Adelaide forward Jeronimo Neumann struck the crossbar in the first half with a fierce shot on his Jets debut.

“It [the result] was a little expected before the game,” said Stubbins. “We were hoping to hit the ground running, but we got beaten by the better team.”

Adelaide outlasted the Phoenix 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sergio Cirio on the half-hour mark at Marden Sports Complex. Despite the paucity of goals, there was action at both ends and Adelaide goalkeeper Paul Izzo was forced into two outstanding saves in the dying minutes.

Goals proved in short-supply on the night, in contrast to last week’s goal-laden opening FFA Cup fixtures.

Melbourne’s St Albans edged a 1-0 win at second-tier Parramatta FC denying the Sydney side any hope of repeating their 1990s’ NSL Cup triumphs when the club were known as Parramatta Melita Eagles. A long-range strike from defender Barry Devlin in the opening half proved enough to separate the teams on the night.

South Hobart suffered a tense 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat against Canberra visitors Tuggeranong United after extra time had failed to separate the sides.

The Tasmanians seemed set for one of the great wins in their 104-year history after they went ahead midway through the second half thanks to an own-goal, but Ethan Munster equalised five minutes from full-time for Tuggeranong.

Meanwhile, the A-League All Stars played out a scoreless draw in a training match against Australia’s U-20 side at WIN Stadium in Wollongong as they prepare for Sunday’s one-off match against Juventus in Sydney.

Almost 7,000 fans attended, many of them drawn by the presence of All Stars forward Alessandro Del Piero, with the former Sydney FC marquee star playing the final 25 minutes.